Article by
Barbados Today

Published on
October 23, 2018

An alleged arsonist accused of setting fire to a building housing several businesses on Bolton Lane, The City, last Friday, will spend some time on remand at HMP Dodds.

Magistrate Douglas Frederick sent Ricardo Anderson Riviere, of Fairfield Main Road, Black Rock, St Michael to HMP Dodds until November 21 after hearing arguments for and against bail.

Riviere is accused of destroying a building belonging to OMB Limited by fire on October 19 with intent to damage such property or was reckless as to whether the property would be damaged.

The 58-year-old salesman was not required to plead to the indictable charge when he appeared in the No. 1 District ‘A’ Magistrate’s Court with his attorney Mohia Ma’at this afternoon.

When it came time for bail Station Sergeant Carrison Henry objected based on the seriousness of the offence and the fact that “many persons had suffered” as a result. The prosecutor also pointed that it would be in Riviere’s best interest that he be remanded at this time.

“If granted bail with the situation that exists his safety may be compromised,” the prosecutor added even as he pointed out that the accused had quite the history before the courts.

However, Ma’at said though he was grateful for the prosecutor’s concern for his client’s safety “the safest place for him at this time would be at his home.”

Ma’at also referred to his client’s “criminal dossier” which he admitted began in the 1980s. He, however, argued that was at a time when Riviere was “under the heavy use of cocaine” but had since rehabilitated himself. The accused’s last conviction the attorney said was recorded 15 years ago.

“As for arson he has no proclivity to such given his antecedents,” Ma’at submitted even as he argued that the prosecution had given no submission of “merit”.

In considering the objections the magistrate told the accused he was facing a very serious charge and persons may be aggrieved by what he had allegedly done.

“But I didn’t do it sir,” Riviere said even as the magistrate went on to tell him that “all of this hostility will be focused on you. . . I will err on the side of safety and in your interest as well and remand you in custody . . . because of the gravity of this allegation.”